Who'd have thought the might of the US military would be used to save us from bickering about wrong directions?
But that's what's become of the world's second-best fighting machine now they've let us civvies access their satellites to help direct us with pinpoint accuracy.
Satellite navigation has gone from being the expensive preserve of luxury cars to something you can buy in almost any car accessory store in a very short space of time.
Now that satnav systems cost little more than a good night out and there are so many to choose from, we thought we'd better give you some buying advice.
The clue's in the name. Satnav systems function by working out their place on Earth using several different satellites at once.
As each satellite is in a different position, this allows the device in your car to work out your location through triangulation.
Bet you didn't think those map-reading courses in the boy scouts would ever make sense? Well, satnav works on the same principles. The satnav in your car has an aerial that receives the signals from the satellites.
Satellite navigations systems are also referred to as GPS (global positioning satellite). This is just a fancy name for the same thing, although it's more commonly used when talking about the sort of handheld device hill walkers use to avoid sauntering off the edge of a mountain.
You'll need the common sense to open a box and read an instruction manual, but working a satellite navigation system is now no trickier than using a computer game console or PC. If you have trouble with these, buy a road atlas.
Most of the satnavs you can now buy are 'plug and go'. This means they're ready to use as soon as you take them out of the box and charge them up. All you have to do is fix the device somewhere secure in the car, plug it into the power socket and off you drive.
A simple cradle is supplied with most satnavs for the screen to sit in, with the cradle usually fixing to the dashboard or windscreen with a simple sucker.
To set your destination, all you have to do is enter the address with house number, street name and town, or some will work with just the postcode. Give the satnav a second to find the spot and it will begin to guide you there. Take a wrong turn and it will work out another route as you continue to drive.
The number of countries loaded into the satellite navigation system's memory depends on the size of its computer brain. Some only deal with the UK, while others will have the whole of Europe at their electronic disposal.
Don't panic, though, because most of the systems with smaller memories will come with a CD-Rom with other maps you can load up when travelling abroad. You can also update most satnav's mapping from your home computer, downloading the latest maps and information to help you avoid traffic jams and road works.
The most simple satnav systems will provide directions via arrows on the screen, but many now also give voice directions.
You will need to use your new satnav a few times to find out how early directions are given because some systems leave their commands until you are nearly at the junction where you need to turn. Think of the satnav as a new co-driver who you have to get to know.
Each satellite navigation system has its own features, but most now have screens where you can alter the brightness of the display to suit conditions.
Many will also have screens that show a variety of information, such as actual road speed, the sites of fixed speed cameras, weather updates, petrol stations and other handy places.
You can also mark specific spots and store them in the satnav's memory, so you need never miss the turning for Great Aunt Agatha's country cottage ever again. These are called points of interest or POIs.
Some critics have started to moan about how safe satnav systems are to use. They see them as a distraction that can cause accidents. It is true you should always pay attention to the road - and never try to program the thing while you're on the move.
That said, we can't really see how an electronic device giving you step-by-step insructions to your destination is any less safe than stuggling to unfold a paper map at 70mph on the M1.
More on this in the next section...
Satellite navigation systems are perfectly legal in the UK, so long as they do not distract you while driving. That means the screen must not be in your direct line of sight and it cannot be used to watch EastEnders as you head home in the evening.
A satnav system that is properly fixed in your car, within easy line of sight without distracting you as you drive, is perfectly safe.
Many systems now also include hands-free phone calling facilities, which makes driving safer than using a mobile phone while behind the wheel. Some systems will even read out text messages that arrive for you.
One more thing - remember to keep your satellite navigation system safe when you leave the car. Take it with you or lock it in the boot, because thieves are very fond of these devices.
